2017 03-28 SB Coast
Captain Dave ran one trip at 9am while the sea conditions near the coast were good. It was a phenomenal excursion with 3 gray whales, 500 long-beaked common dolphins and 1 humpback whale.
Right outside the Santa Barbara harbor entrance a single, small and shy gray whale was spotted and followed for a short while. Soon a large hot spot came into view as evidenced by the thousands of diving and crashing sea birds. On the scene we found at least 500 dolphins actively feeding on several large anchovy schools. Clear water made this NatGeo moment a spectacular event to behold. Captain Dave mentioned privately to the crew “With all this action, I’m surprised there isn’t a humpback whale in here.” Sure enough. Within minutes a large and very hungry humpback showed up and began a series of surface lunge feeding events. Some lunges were straight up and vertical; others were sideways. Little silvery fish were jumping out of the water by the thousands hoping for salvation.
About this time the strong westerly winds that had been forecast filled-in along the coast and Dave rode the wind and seas down-swell all the way back to the harbor. Near the old light house 2 more gray whales were located.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express